HBA-BSM H.B. 1377 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1377
By: Menendez
Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
7/25/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, if the court found that the Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services (department) had been the temporary or
sole managing conservator of a child for the six months preceding the
filing of a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship, then the
court was authorized to terminate the parent-child relationship.  House
Bill 1377 authorizes the court to terminate the parent-child relationship
if the department has been the temporary or sole managing conservator for
at least six months preceding the date of the hearing on the termination. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1377 amends the Family Code to authorize the court to order the
termination of the parent-child relationship in a suit filed by the
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services if the court finds that
the department has been the temporary or sole managing conservator of the
child for at least six months preceding the date of the hearing on the
termination rather than six months preceding the date of a petition to
terminate the parent-child relationship. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.